Business travel is making a strong comeback! According to Deloitte, corporate travel spending is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by late 2024 or early 2025, with in-person meetings and industry events driving much of this recovery. As businesses ramp up travel, finance leaders and travel managers must stay proactive, ensuring that every dollar spent translates into measurable value. At AirBooking, we’ve witnessed the evolution of the business travel landscape, and companies are increasingly focused on maximizing their ROI. But how can businesses ensure they’re getting the most value from each trip in 2025?
Understanding Business Travel ROI
Business travel ROI measures the financial return on every dollar spent on travel. The formula is simple:
ROI = (Net Gain from Business Travel - Total Costs of Business Travel) / Total Costs of Business Travel × 100
A positive ROI indicates that a trip was worthwhile. However, not all trips yield the same return; client meetings and deal closures often generate higher returns, while other trips may fall short. In 2025, it’s crucial to be strategic about which trips get the green light, prioritizing those that drive tangible business outcomes.
Key Insights from 2024
Last year highlighted which types of business travel delivered the best returns. For instance:
Customer meetings: Up to $19.99 returned for every dollar spent.
Conferences and trade shows: Yielded $4 to $5.99 for each dollar invested.
Incentive travel: Generated a return of $1 to $4 for every dollar spent.
As travel continues to grow, companies face the challenge of controlling costs while still allowing essential trips. In 2022, 62% of businesses reported unexpectedly high travel costs, with some fully remote companies exceeding projections by over 50%.
What’s New for 2025?
In 2025, corporate travel will emphasize strategic investments. Companies will look to stretch each travel dollar further by leveraging technology and adopting smarter practices. Here are four key strategies for maximizing business travel ROI:
1. Incentivize Early Bookings—But Not Too Early
Booking early can lead to significant savings, but doing so too far in advance can be counterproductive. Airlines often wait to release discounts until closer to the departure date. The sweet spot for booking is generally 10 days to a month before the trip. Encouraging employees to book during this timeframe can help avoid last-minute price increases.
2. Implement Hard Approvals
Soft approvals have previously allowed trips to be booked with minimal oversight, often leading to overspending. In 2025, many companies are adopting hard approvals, requiring managerial sign-off for every trip. This approach ensures that only essential travel is authorized, effectively controlling costs.
3. Go Green to Save Green
Sustainability is more than a trend; it’s a smart business strategy. Increasingly, companies are opting for eco-friendly travel solutions, such as biofuel flights and carbon offsets. Not only does this reduce your company’s carbon footprint, but it also enhances brand reputation and customer loyalty, contributing to long-term profitability.
4. Utilize AirBooking's Forecast Tool
Accurately predicting and managing travel costs is vital in 2025. At AirBooking, our forecast tool empowers businesses to plan and budget future travel with precision. By using real-time data and historical trends, this tool helps teams make informed decisions, ensuring that each trip aligns with ROI objectives.
The Takeaway: Be Smart, Be Strategic
The corporate travel landscape is evolving rapidly, and businesses must adopt a strategic approach to maximize their ROI. By focusing on early bookings, enforcing strict approval processes, embracing sustainable travel, and utilizing advanced tools like AirBooking’s forecast tool, companies can ensure that each trip delivers real value.
At AirBooking, we’re dedicated to helping businesses navigate these changes in the travel landscape. Whether it’s streamlining the approval process, optimizing travel spending, or ensuring compliance with travel policies, we provide the tools and strategies you need to maximize your travel ROI in 2025.
